(CNS): Two men both serving similar prison terms for sex offences will continue to serve the sentences handed down to them by Grand Court judges after the appeal court upheld their sentences last week. A local sports coach, who cannot be named for legal reasons, convicted earlier this year of having sex with a 13 year old girl when he was 29, was told that his sentence of 4 years and 8 months, despite being a first offence, was not manifestly excessive. While the term of five years and four months given to Randy McLean, who was 30 when convicted of having sex with a 15 year old girl, was also seen as appropriate as it was his second offence for having sex with underage girls.

The appeal court heard the arguments for a reduction in both men’s sentences at the same, even though they were two very separate offences, as the judges considered that the same points were at issue. Both men were a similar age at the time of their offences and their victims were teenagers. Both of the girls involved had been described in the court as willing participants but both were under the age of consent. The main aggravating factor in McLean’s case was the repeat offending, while the sport coach’s case was aggravated by the breach of his position of trust.

However, despite the efforts of their attorneys, the appeal court was satisfied that the judges in both case had considered all of the elements and had arrived at the right decisions.

Comments (8)

This is not fun and games and should universally be condemned within the entire society here in Cayman.

The sooner your young people are protected from this predatory behavior the safer we will all be.

Parents need to teach their children how to avoid dangerous situations. A young girl has no business hanging around an older man it can only lead to trouble. Anyone who sees such behavior need to raise an alarm.